Syracuse, NY -- Twice now, former special needs counselor Markeem Chaplin has refused to take responsibility for having oral sex with a 16-year-old girl in a Camillus group home.

First, Chaplin told authorities he was innocent after pleading guilty to felony sex act. But County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller did him a favor by allowing him to keep his plea, avoiding prison time.

Then Chaplin refused to work with his probation officer, sending him back to court less than three weeks later. A probation officer said he refused to talk about the crime, discuss his future plans and goals in life, or participate in a sex offender treatment program.

Miller again spared him prison. But the judge promised that he'd put Chaplin into custody today if the convict didn't start cooperating.

At his March 12 appearance, Chaplin told the judge he didn't feel like talking about his crime. He added he was grieving the recent loss of a family member.

"I didn't want to talk about it," Chaplin said in court. "I just wanted to move forward with the probation process."

Chaplin, of South Avenue, Syracuse, could face several years in prison if he violates probation. He was working for Toomey Residential and Community Services, an affiliate of Catholic Charities, when the sexual contact took place.